Electrical measurement of displacement



Ap 13, 1948. D. E. Bovl-:Y

ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT OF DISPLACEMENT Filed June 14, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13, 1948. D. E. BovEY ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT 0F DISPLCEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1943 T ERE ///6 /l 'mm/ MOVEMEN APPLIED H APPLIED HERE @"llluilliil Patented Apr. 13, 1948 momen. MEASUREMENT or msmcmnr Donald E. Bovey, Rockford, lll., allignor to Woodward Go poration of Illinois vernor Company, Rockford, Ill., a cor- Application June 14, 1943, Serial No. 490,781

8 Claims. (CL 177-351) The present invention relates to a method and system of electrical detection for use in apparatus for indicating, recording or controlling a change in a condition. The condition, to whose changes response is to be had, may be thermal. electrical, mechanical or chemical.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel method and system for electrical detection of the general class indicated and which are characterized by sensitivity, slmplicity and wide range of adaptability.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved method and systeml for detection in which departuresfrom a mean value, of the condition whose changes are being detected, serves to vary simultaneously and in opposite senses two normally matched electrical quantities (i. e., two voltages or two currents) and utilizes the resulting net variation of the two, rather than one alone, to produce an electrical output characteristic varied in sense as well as magnitude in accordance with said departures.

A further object is to provide such a method and system for detection in which variations of the condition being measured are reilected as simultaneous, opposite changes in two alternating current potentials, and in which such potentials are rectied and thereafter applied in voltage opposition in a network so that the resultant or net direct current potential is of a polarity corresponding to the sense of departure of the condition from normal and f a magnitude corresponding to the extent of such departure, the use of initial alternating current potentials making possible their variation in a simple manner by variation of air gaps in flux paths associated therewith and the rectification of such potentials prior to their superposition in the network for matching purposes serving to eliminate difficulties incident to possible difference in phase of the alternating current potentials such as would be encountered if an attempt were made to combine the latter directly.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of a. detection system embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a condition-controlled device connected to actuate the pickup of the detection system.

Figs. 2a and 2b are diagrammatic representations oi alternatively available condition-con- 2 trolled devices for actuating the pickup of the detection system.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a recording device adapted to be operated by the output of the detection system.

Figs. 3a and 3b are diagrammatic representations, respectively. of an indicating device and a control device which may be operated from the output of the detection system as alternations to the recording device of Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a detail front elevation of the pickup device included in the system of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the pickup device of F18. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of pickup device adapted for use in the system 0f Fis. 1.

F18. 7 is an end elevation of the pickup device of Fig. 6 with the casing sectioned substantially along the line 1-1 of the latter figure.

The present invention is applicable to the indicating, recording or control of an almost numberless variety of condition changes. Accordinsly. certain illustrative applications of the invention have been shown herein in merely diagrammatic form and only to an extent suilicient to make plain the operation of the novel detection system. Consequently, no inference should be drawn that such applications are at all indicative of the limits of the eld of use. On the contrary, it is the intention to cover all modiiications, alternatives and adaptations falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

'I'he improved method includes the general steps of shifting or adjusting the position of a movable member in accordance with variations in the value of a condition to be indicated, recorded or controlled effecting equal and opposite changes in two alternating current potentials in accordance with changes in the position of said member.

The potentials are thereafter rectied, then are desirably ampliiied, and are finally applied in voltage opposition in an output circuit. When the controlling condition is at some selected mean or normal value the opposed potentials in such output circuit are equal, wherefore there is a zero output. Upon change of the condition in either sense from such mean value, however, the output potential will vary in proportion to such change and will be of a polarity correspond-l ing to the sense of the change. Accordingly, the output potential may be readily utilized for goveming the operation of a recording, indicating or control device in accordance-.with changes in the condition.

Referring now to the illustrative embodiment of the system in Fig. 1. the member which is adiusted in response to changes in the condition being detected is an armature I of a pickup device, designated generally by the numeral II, and hereinafter detailed as to structure (shown in Figs. 4 and 5). In the present instance, the armature I0 is shown diagrammatically as having a mechanical operating connection with an exemplary condition-controlled device, illustrated in Fig. 2 as a fiyball governor having a rod I2 movable axially in response to changes in the radial positions oi fly-weights I3 acting against a Speeder spring I4 and pivotally mounted on a ball-head I6 which is rotated in unison with the mechanism whose speed is to be indicated, recorded, or regulated. Thus the armature I 9 is tilted about its central pivot point I in accordance with changes in speed which is the condition whose value is measured. Alternatively, the armature I0 may be joined by a suitable operating connection to a thermally responsive element such as a bimetallic strip I1 (Fig. 2a) which therefore positions the member I0 in accordance with ambient temperature changes. Similarly, the armature may be connected to a ilexible bellows I8 (Fig. 2b) so as to respond to pressure changes. In fact, the armature may be adjusted selectively by any desired lcondition-controlled device which is adapted to move in response to changes in any condition, the value of which is to be indicated, recorded, controlled or regulated. When the condition is at some selected mean or normal value, the armature I0 occupies its central position shown, and is tilted about its pivot I5 in opposite directions in accordance with the sense of the departure of the condition from normal and by an amount proportional to the magnitude of such departure.

Such movement oi' the armature I0 is used to vary simultaneously and in opposite senses two alternating current potentials in windings I9 and 20 of the pickup device the armature being disposed in the paths of iluxes linking these windings so that its movement from the central position shown varies the reluctance of such paths in opposite senses. To facilitate the connection of these windings I9, 20 for independent rectification of their respective potentials, they are preferably excited inductively rather than directly, and the armature I0 disposed in the mutual inductance paths between the respective windings I9, 20 and a primary or exciting winding 2|. 'Ihe latter thus functions, in eifect, as a transformer primary and the windings I9, 20 function as transformer secondaries. When the armature |0 is in its central or mid position shown, the reluctance oi.' the paths of ilux linking the exciting 'winding 2| to the respective secondaries I9, 20 are equal and, accordingly, the potentials induced in the two identical windings I9, 20 are equal.

Turning the amature I0 clockwise about its pivot I5 brings vit into closer proximity to the winding 20 and simultaneously moves it further away from the winding I9. Consequently, the reluctance of the :flux path linking the windings 20, 2| is diminished, while the reluctance of the path linking the windings I9, 20 is increased simultaneously. As a result, the potential induced in the winding 29 is increased and that in the winding I9 diminished. Opposite changes take place when the armature I0 is turned in a 4 counterclockwise direction. Such an arrangement aiiords a very sensitive pickup device in that when a change in the potential in one Winding takes place, a change of equal magnitude but opposite sense takes place in the potential of the other winding, and these simultaneous changes are used, as detailed below, to augment each other in proportionately varying the output oi the system.

Excitation for the primary winding 2| may be furnished from any suitable source of alternating current. Preferably the excitation frequency is high, that is, of the order of about 5,000 C. P. S., in order to minimize the problem of ltering out the ripple-from the rectiied outputs of the windings I9, 20. In the present instance an oscillator of conventional design has been shown as arranged for exciting the primary windingZI This oscillator comprises a type 6C5 triode 22 having a grid 23, an anode 24, and a cathode 25 with heater 2B. Also included in the oscillator circuit is a second type 605 triode 21 connected for operati-on as an amplier and having a grid 29, an anode 29, and a cathode with heater 3|. In the input circuit of the tube 22 the primary winding 33a of a variable mutual inductance 39 and a resistor 32 are connected between the cathode and ground while the other winding 93o of the inductance is shunted by a condenser 94.

Adjustment of the inductance 33 serves, in the usual manner, to determine the oscillator i'requency.

Plate voltage for the various tubes in the circuit is derived from an ordinary direct current supply network, shown in this instance as comprising a transformer 35 and a rectifier 56. Primary winding 31 of the transformer 35 is excited from any suitable source of alternating current, as for example at 60 cycles and 110 volts, 'and the end terminals of its secondary winding 38 are connected to the plates 39, 39a of the rectiiler 36, the center tap of the secondary being grounded. Cathode 40 of the rectier is connected across a tertiary winding 4|. Incidentally, an additional winding 42 of the transformer supplies current at low voltage to the cathode heaters of the various tubes, the individual connections thereto being omitted for simplicity. The rectier cathode 40 is connected through an output lead 43 to a filter comprising a choke 44 and condensers 45, 46 connected to ground from its opposite end terminals. A voltage divider resistor 41 is connected from the output terminal 48 of the filter to ground, whence the circuit is completed back to the center tap of the transformer winding 38, and plate voltages of desired value can be tapped oi from the resistor 41.

In the case of the oscillator tube 22, plate voltage is supplied from a tap 49 on the resistor 41 and through leads 50, 5| and a load resistor 52. The output of the tube 22 is coupled through a condenser 53 to the input of the ampliiler tube 21. Thus, one terminal oi the condenser 53 is connected to the grid 28 of the latter tube, such grid being connected to the cathode 30, resistors 54, 55 and condenser 56 in shunt with the latter resistor. Plate voltage is applied to this tube 21 from the tap 49 on the resistor 41 through the lead 50 and a load resistor 51. The output of the tube 21 is coupled to the primary winding 2| of the pickup device I through a condenser 58, connections 'being established through an Octal plug and socket indicated at 59.

All connections from the pickup device I I to the remainder of the circuit are established through six of the eight terminals (numbered I to 8) of the octal plug and socket whereby the leads from the pickup device may be enclosed in a cable to facilitate placing of the pickup device adjacent a machine being tested or in any other desired location. Thus the terminals of the exciting winding 2| are connected to terminals 1, 8 on the plug; the terminals of the secondary winding I9 are connected to terminals 2, 5 0n the plug; while the terminals of the other secondary winding 20 are connected to terminals I, 8 on the plug. The coupling condenser 58 from the oscillator is connected through lead 60 to terminal 1 on the socket while terminal 8 on the socket is connected to ground through lead 6I. A condenser 62 is connected between leads 60, 6I In this way the winding 2| is connected in the output circuit of the oscillator amplifier tube 21 (that is, in circuit 29-58-60-1-2I-8-8I- ground-5549) for excitation of the winding by the amplified high frequency output of the oscillator.

'I'he potentials which are induced in the secondary windings I9, 20 of the pickup device II are applied to two input circuits of the system and the currents circulated thereby in such input circuits are rectiiied independently. A type 6ZY5G rectifier tube 83 having an indirectly heated cathode 64 and a pair of anodes 65, 66 is shown as connected for this purpose. Thus, one terminal of the winding 20 is connected to the rectifier anode 65 through plug terminal I, while one terminal of the other winding I9 is connected to the other rectifier anode 66 through the plug terminal 2. The remaining terminals of the windings I9, 20 are connected through plug terminals 5 and 3, respectively, to opposite ends of a resistor 61 having an adjustable center tap 68 through which the circuit is completed to ground and thence back to the rectier cathode 64. It will thus be seen that the rectified currents resulting from the potentials induced in the Windings I9, 20 traverse respective portions (approximately halves) of the resistor 61, and by adjustment of the center tap 68 of the latter the voltage drops across such portions of the resistor 61 can be easily and exactly balanced when the armature Ill is in its predetermined neutral or mid position. Condensers 69 and 19 are connected across the portions of the resistor 61 energized from the respective windings I9, 20 and are, accordingly, charged by potentials which are proportional to those induced in the corresponding ones of such windings I9, 20. These condensers, which charge to peak voltages almost equal to the voltage drops across the corresponding portions of resistor 91, afford some filtering ahead of the direct current amplifier. They do, however, introduce some time lag in the system, thereby impairing the precision of the system at high rates of change in the condition being detected. Accordingly, they should be omitted or not, depending upon whether or not greater accuracy is desired at the expense of an increase in the amount of ripple of excitation frequency.

Desirably, the rectified potentials across the condensers 69, 10 are amplified individually before being applied in voltage opposition in the output of th'e network. For that purpose two-stage direct current amplification is used herein, the circuits for amplifying the two potentials being, in fact, independent in their functioning although closely related as to connections in order to simplify the layout. 'I'he iirst stages of such amplilier circuits comprise the respective triode portions of a. type 8807 duplex triode tube 1I, while the second stages comprise respective screen grid type 6L6G tubes 12, 13 connected to operate as triodes.

In the specic amplifier circuit sh'own, one terminal of the resistor 81 is connected to grid 14 of one triode section of the tube 1I, while the other terminal of the resistor 81 is connected to the grid 15 oi' the other triode section of such tube. The input circuits of the tube are completed th'rough a lead 18 from the remaining or common terminals of condensers 69, 1D to the cathode 11. On the output side of the tube 1I the anodes 18, 19 are respectively connected to the input or control grids 80, 8i of the second stage tubes 12, 13. Plate voltage is applied to the anodes 18, 19 of the tube 1I from respective portions of a resistor 82 having its end terminals connected thereto and its center tap 83 connected to the output terminal 48 of the plate supply, heretofore described, through leads 84, 85. A condenser 86 may be shunted across the resistor 82 as shown to minimize the ripple in the direct current output of the tube 1I although, as heretofore mentioned in connection with condensers 69, 10, this is done at the expense of some time lag, and should therefore be used or not, depending upon the characteristic desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the input bias on the grids 80, 8l of the second stage tubes 12, 13 is varied in accordance with the outputs of the respective triode sections of the first stage tube 1I, and that the latter are in turn proportional to the potentials induced in the windings I9 and 20, respectively. On the output sides of the second stage tubes 12, 13 their anodes 81, 88 are connected to opposite end terminals of a load resistor 89 having a center tap 9D connected through leads 9|, 85 to the output terminal 48 of the heretofore described plate voltage supply network. The cathodes 92, 93 of the tubes 12, 'I3 are connected to ground through a common lead 94 and resistor 95. It will thus be seen that the outputs of the second stage tubes 12, 13 are applied in voltage opposition on the resistor 89, Wherefore the direct current potential appearing between output terminals 96 for the network, which are connected to the opposite ends of the resistor 89, is proportional to the net difference between the potentials induced in the pickup windings I9, 20. In other words, such output voltage is of one polarity when the armature I0 shifts in one direction, of the opposite polarity when the armature shifts in the opposite direction, and in either case of a value proportional to the extent of such shift of the armature.

In Figs. 3, 3a and 3b are diagrammatically illustrated a recording device, an indicating device and a control device, respectively, and which are representative of the general class of' mechanisms that may be actuated from the output terminals of the detector system. Thus, Fig. 3 represents a recording device in the form of a conventional oscillograph providing a moving strip of lm 91 on which' a beam of light from source 98 is reflected by mirror 99 in the usual manner. Actuating winding |00 of the oscillograph is energized through leads IIlI and a suitable plug connection IIlIa from the output terminals 96. The "indicating device of Fig. 3a represents simply a voltmeter having a needle |02 also adapted to be operated from the detector system, and which may be provided with a scale I02a suitably calibrated for indicating various condition ch'anges. Similarly, the control device of Fig. 3b is shown diagrammatically as comprising a regulating valve A |03 operated by a solenoid |04 adapted to be energized from the output of the detector system and having a spring-centered, polarized armature |05 connected to the valve element through linkage |06. Of course, the motion of the armature |05 may' be utilized to control the operation of a suitable servo actuator including follow-up mechanism for effecting power actuation of the device ultimately to be positioned in accordance with' the changing values of the controlling condition. It will be observed that the series of devices of Figs. 3, 3a and 3b have in common the feature that each of them embodies a movable element which is adapted to be moved from a central or neutral position in opposite directions in accordance with the polarity of the output of the detector system and through a distance proportional to the magnitude of such output From the foregoing the operation of the system disclosed will, in general, be clear. By way of brief rsum, such operation will be reviewed with reference to the conditions prevailing when the pickup device I I is mechanically connected to the governor I4 of Fig. 2 and the output terminals 96 connected to the operating winding I 00 o1 the oscillograph of Fig. 3. It may be further assumed that alternating current is being supplied to the input winding 31 of 4the supply transformer 35 and that the detection system has been properly adjusted so that the output potential at terminals 99 ls zero when the armature I0 is in its predetermined or mid position. The mechanical operating connection from the armature I0 to the collar I2 of the lyball governor is such that the armature occupies its mid position, as shown, when the governor I4 is 4turning at some predetermined speed.

Under such conditions, and so long as the governor continues to revolve at precisely such predetermined speed, the alternating current potentionals induced in the windings I9, 20 from the winding 2 I, which is suitably excited by the oscillator, will be equal. Consequently, the negative biases on the grids 14, 15 of the tube 'II will be equal, as will the biases on the grids 80, 8| of the second stage amplifier tubes l2, 13, wherefore the direct current output potentials from the `latter tubes applied to the resistor 99 are equal and opposite so that there is a zero voltage at the output lterminals 96. In such case the mirror 99 of the oscillograph (Fig. 3) remains stationary and the trace on the film 91 is a straight line. Upon an'y slightest change in speed of the governor I4, however, the oscillograph mirror 99 will turn proportionately, and in a corresponding direction to record such change by shift in the beam of light which forms the trace on the lm 91. For example, if the governor I4 increases in speed of rotation slightly. it will pivot the armature I0 counterclockwise. This decreases the reluctance of the flux path linking the winding I9 and at the same time increases the reluctance of the ux path linking the winding 20, so that the alternating current potential in the winding I9 is increased and that in the winding 20 decreased. In such case the direct current potential across the condenser 69 is increased and that across the condenser 10 decreased, whereby the grid 1I becomes more negative and the grid 15 less negative. This raises the plate resistance in the triode section 18, 14, 11 and lowers the plate resistance in the other triode section 'I9, 15, .'I'I. The latter changes in turn raise the potential of the grid 90 in the second stage tube 12 and lower the potential of the grid 8| in the other second stage tube 13, wherefore more plate current flows in the output of the tube 'I2 and less in the output oi the tube 13. The voltage drop in the resistor 89 resulting from the output ofthe tube 'l2 thus overbalances the l opposed voltage drop resulting from the output of the tube I3 so that a net output potential of corresponding magnitude and polarity is applied to the operating winding |00 of the oscillograph, thereby causing it to shift the mirror 99. Further increase in` the speed of the governor I9 will cause such output voltage to increase proportionately and in the same sense.

Upon a subsequent decrease in the governor speed, however, the armature I 0 will pivot back in a clockwise direction, thus causing the potentials in the system to change in a reverse sense to that heretofore described. After the armature I0 passes its neutral or mid position shown the polarity at the output terminals 96 will reverse and thereafter increase in an opposite sense as'the armature I0 continues to shift clockwise. In this way the output potential of the system is caused to change with precision in accordance with even minute changes in the condition to which the system is made responsive.

Attention may now be given to details of an exemplary construction for the pickup device I I, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. As shown in the latter gures, the windings I9 and 20 encircle the outer legs IIO, III of a laminated E-shaped core IIZ, made of soft iron. The exciting Winding 2| embraces the central leg IIS of this core. The armature l0, which is also made of laminated soft iron, extends between the ends of the outer core legs I I0, III and has a central projection |08 thereon presenting a curved face |09 to the adjacent end face of the central leg IIS. The pivot pin I I5 for the armature I0 is supported between a pair of frame members IM fixed Ato a pair of face plates or frame members I5 disposed on opposite sides of the core II2 and through-bolted thereto. Rigid with one of these frame members H5 is an L-shaped mounting bracket I I6. 'I'he laminations of the core I0 are fixed in a generally channel-shaped frame II'l having a pin H9 fixed thereto for connection of the armature to the condition-controlled device that is to move the same.

For yieldably holding the armature I0 in its centered position, tension springs II9 may be provided, extending from the outer ends of the frame I I1 to the adjacent outer ends of the core frame II5. Such spring loading of the armature adapts -it to the measurement of force as well as deflection, although the spring loading of the modified form of pickup device hereinafter described in connection with Figs. 6 and 7 is somewhat better adapted for that purpose. It will be evident that the springs vI I9 may be omitted from the device of Figs. 4 and 5 if it is desired that the pickup be sensitive simply to movement alone and with the application of substantially no change in load to the device which moves it.

In the operation of the pickup device of Figs. 4 and 5 the air gaps between the ends of the core f legs IIO, III and the adjacent portions of the armature I0 are equal when the armature is in air gap to the core leg IfIIi is diminished, while that to the core leg III is correspondingly increased. This results in a corresponding change in the iiux traversing the paths |20, I2I, that in the path |20 increasing and that in the path I2I decreasing so that, correspondingly, the voltage induced in the winding III is increased and that in the winding 20 decreased. Shift of the armature I in the opposite direction to decrease the air gap between it and the core leg III and to increase that to the leg I||I will result in a corresponding increase in the voltage induced at the winding and decrease in that induced in the winding I9.

In Figs. 6 and 7 fa modified form of pickup device, designated generally as IIa, has been illustrated and which is suitable for use in the detection system heretofore described in lieu of the pickup device II. In this instance the pickup device IIa comprises an exciting winding 2Ia coacting with secondary windings Isa, 20a and an armature Illa. 'I'he windings are again mounted on a laminated soft iron core I I2a of what might be termed an E-shape, althoughthe main outer legs of the core have opposed projections Illia, I I Ia, which carry the secondary windings I9a and 20a. 'I'he exciting winding' 2Ia encircles a. short central core leg II3a. The armature IIIa is generally rectangular in shape and its outer end lies adjacent the end of the core leg I I3a, while the upper portion of the armature is disposed between the opposed faces of the core legs IIIIa and I IIa, being equally spaced from the latter when in its -position of rest. In such case the flux induced by the exciting winding 2 Ia traverses the paths of equal reluctance indicated generally by the arrow lines I20a and |2Ia and linking the respective windings ISa and 20a.

A parallel motion support for the armature IIIa is afforded by a pair of leaf springs |22. The lower ends of these springs are screwed to a supporting block |23 while their upper ends are screwed to a second `block |24. Fixed in this latter block is a stem |25 to the lower end of which the armature Illa is rigidly attached. The upper end of the pin |25 is adapted for attachment to a member moved in `accordance with the condition whose changes are being detected. A pin |25 extends through a central opening |26 in the lower supporting block |23. By virtue of this mounting arrangement, when the upper end of the pin |25 is moved laterally the armature Ilia on its lower end will be correspondingly moved, the armature remaining parallel at all times to the opposed faces of the core leg projections between which it is located. Such movement of the armature changes the lengths of the air gaps between it and the projections in the core legs Illia, III a to alter the potentials induced in the windings I9a, 20a in the same general manner as heretofore described with reference to the windings I9, 20 of the pickup device II. In the device of Figs. 6 and 'l the core II2a is clamped in complemental recesses in the opposed faces of a pair of non-magnetic frame members |21, to the too of which the mounting block |23 is fixed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system for producing an output signal which varies substantially proportionately with changes in a condition, the combination of an electromagnetic pickup device comprising an exciting winding and two secondary windings together with a movable armature for varying the inductive couplings between said exciting winding and respective ones of said secondary windings simultaneously and in opposite senses as said armature is moved in opposite directions from a neutral position, means for moving said armature in response to changes in said condition, means for energizing said exciting winding with alternating current to induce alternating current potentials in said secondary windings, an output circuit, means for separately rectifying prior to ampliilcation the alternating current potentials induced in said secondary windings and means for separately amplifyingA the direct voltage outputs of the last-mentioned means while maintaining the direct voltage nature thereof and for thereafter a-pplymg the resulting ampliiled direct current potentials to said output circuit in voltage opposition to each other, whereby the net potential in said output circuit is varied in polarity in accordance with the direction of movement of said armature from its neutrai position and in magnitude substantially proportionately with extent of such movement of the armature.

2. In a system for producing an output which varies substantially proportionately with changes in a condition, the combination of an exciting winding and two secondary windings inductively coupled therewith, means for energizing said exciting winding with alternating current to induce alternating current potentials in said secondary windings, means for varying simultaneously and in opposite senses the reluctance of the magnetic circuit joining said exciting winding and respective ones of said secondary windings in accordance with changes in said condition, two input circuits connected to respective ones of said secondary windings, means for rectifying independently of each other the currents circulated in said circuits as a consequence of the potentials induced in said secondary windings and for producing direct current potentials by the rectified currents, an output circuit, and means including two direct coupled therrnionic amplifiers for separately amplifying said direct potentials while maintaining the direct voltage nature thereof and applying the same to said output circuit with the resulting amplified direct current potentials in voltage opposition to each other.

3. In a system for having an input and an output and producing an output signal substantially proportional to a change in a condition affecting the input, the combination of two independent input circuits, means for applying to said input circuits alternating current voltages which are normally of equal values, means for varying said voltages simultaneously and in opposite senses from their normal values substantially proportionately to departure from a mean value of the condition whose changes are to be detected, means for rectifying independently of each other the currents in said circuits resulting from the voltages applied thereto and for producing direct current potentials by the rectified currents, an output circuit, and direct coupled amplifier means for separately amplifying the direct potentials produced by the last-mentioned means while constantly maintaining the direct voltage nature thereof and applying the resultant amplified direct potentials to said output circuit in voltage opposition to each other.

4. The method of detecting the extent and sense of displacement of a member from some mean position thereof, which comprises, producing two alternating voltages which are normally of equal value. varying said voltages simultaneously and in opposite sses proportionately to the displacement of said member from its mean amplifying said direct voltages into direct voltages of greater magnitude but of the same proportionality with reference to each other while constantly maintaining the direct voltage nature thereof, and combining in polar opposition said amplified direct current voltages, whereby the polarity of the resultant of such combination corresponds to the sense of deviation of said member and the magnitude of the resultant is proportional to the extent of such deviation.

5. In a system for detecting changes in a condition, the combination of an electromagnetic pickup device comprising an exciting winding and two secondary windings together with a movable magnetic armature for varying the reluctance of the magnetic path between said exciting winding and respective ones of said secondary windings simultaneously and in opposite senses as said armature is moved in opposite directions from a neutral position, means for moving said armature substantially proportionately to changes in said condition, means for energizing said exciting winding with high frequency alternating current to induce alternating current potentials of corresponding high frequency in said secondary windings, a resister having end terminals and an adjustable center tap, means for rectifying independently of each other the alternating current potentials induced in said secondary windings and applying the same to the portions of said resister lying between respective ones of said end terminals and said center tap, whereby said center tap may be adjusted to equalize the direct current voltage drops across said portions of the resister when said amature is in a desired mean position therefor, an output circuit, and means including two thermionic direct coupled ampliiiers for amplifying said direct current voltage drops into direct current voltages of greater magnitude but like proportionality to each other and applying the same to said output circuit in voltage opposition to each other.

6. In a system for detecting changes in a condition and for energizing a. registering device in accordance with such changes, the combination of an electromagnetic pickup device comprising an exciting winding and two secondary windings together withmeans for varying the reluctance of the magnetic path between said exciting winding and respective ones of said secondary windings simultaneously and in opposite senses as said armature -is moved in opposite 'directions from a neutral position, means for moving said armature substantially proportionately to changes in said condition, means for energizing said exciting winding with high frequency alternating current to induce alternating potentials in said secondary windings, resistor means having two sections, means for rectifyin-g independently of each other the valternating potentials induced in said secondary windings and applying the same to the sections of said resistor, said resistor sections having resistance such that the direct voltage drops across said sections respectively are equal when said armature is in a desired mean position therefor, an output circuit for connection to said registering device, and means including two thermionic direct coupled amplifiers for propor tionally amplifying said direct voltage drops into 12 direct voltages `of greater magnitude and applying the same to said output circuit in voltage opposition to each other.

7. In a system having an input and an output and producing a direct output signal substantially proportional to a change in a condition eecting the input, the combination comprising two independent input circuits, means for applying to said input circuits alternating voltages which are normally of equal value, means for varying said voltages simultaneously and in opposite senses from their normal values substantially proportionally to departure from a mean value of the condition whose changes are to be detected, means for rectifying independently of each other the currents in said circuits resulting from the voltages applied thereto and for producing direct potentials by the rectied currents, an output circuit, direct coupled amplifier means for amplifying the direct potentials produced by the last mentioned means and applying the resultant amplified direct potentials to said output circuit in voltage opposition to each other, and lter means associated with the input portion of said direct coupled amplier means for filtering out alternating components in the rectified wave which are at the frequencies of the alternating voltage input and to enable direct connection of the amplifier means to a load requiring substantially pure direct voltage.

8. In a device suitable for exciting an oscillograph or the like having a low impedance with direct voltage of a magnitude depending upon a condition being measured, the combination comprising an exciting winding, two secondary wind- -ings inductively coupled thereto, means for energizing the exciting winding with alternating current to induce alternating potentials in said secondary windings, means for varying simultaneously and in opposite senses the inductive coupling between said exciting winding and respective ones of said secondary windings in accordance with changes in said condition, two input circuits connected to respective ones of said secondary windings, means for rectifying independently of each other the potentials induced in said secondary windings, means including two direct coupled amplifiers for amplifying said direct potentials and having an output circuit connecting the output signals thereof in opposition, said amplifiers including biasing means such that the output signal is substantially proportional to the input signal and including iilter means in the grid circuits thereof for itering out signal components at the frequency of said alternating current so that said low impedance load may be'supplied with a' proportional and substantially pure direct voltage directly from said output circuit.

DONALD E. BOVEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

